PATTAYA ATTRACTIONS
Pattaya Travel Guide: 15 Top Attractions and Local Experiences
Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most popular beach and adult nightlife destinations.
The Pattaya city districts are North, Central and South. Outer city districts are Wong Amat-Naklua to the north, the more prestigious Pratumnak Hill to the south west, Jomtein to the south and East Pattaya on the east side of the Sukhumvit main highway.
There are beachfront promenades lined with restaurants, shops and street vendors selling just about everything. You will find beer bars, nightclubs, massage palours, and various types of accomodation in every main street.
You have a choice of beaches such as Pattaya Beach, Wong Amat Beach just north of the city, and Jomtien Beach which is a short ride south of Pattaya city which is a quieter area. These beaches also have jet skiing and parasailing for the adventurous tourist.
Families can enjoy attractions like Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, mini Siam, the Pattaya Floating Market, aquarium, elephant sanctuary, and nearby water parks.
The weather in Pattaya is warm and tropical throughout the year. From November to February it is cooler and drier, providing ideal conditions for sightseeing, beach trips, and outdoor sports.
How To Get Around Pattaya
You can get around Pattaya by taking a songthaew (taxi truck) that holds about 10 to 12 people at a time.
Songtheaws have distinct routes around Pattaya with the main circuit going south down the main Pattaya Beach Road until Walking Street in south Pattaya, then turns around one block to go north up Pattaya 2 Road through central pattaya until it reaches north Pattaya at Dolphin Circle Roundabout and then back down Pattaya Beach Road.
You can flag down the correct colored one as many just go round and round picking up customers. Press the buzzer inside the cabin when you want to stop. Ensure you have the correct change when you pay at the end.The all blue baht bus for north/central/south Pattaya city. The blue with white band baht bus goes to Jomtein beach. These wait at Pratamnak Road which is the southern continuation of Pattaya 2 Road.
Best Places to Visit in Pattaya
Big Buddha Hill
Big Buddha Hill overlooks all of Pattaya and is also known as Luang Phor Yhai in Thai.
The image of the Buddha is a huge 18 meters tall. The temple nearby is Wat Phra Khao Yai.
Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary Of Truth is also known as The Wooden Temple. It is located just north of Pattaya city on the Gulf Of Thailand.
Both inside and outside the temple you can see intricate hand carved wooden sculptures inlaid into this magnificent structure.
Pattaya Floating Market
Pattaya Floating Market is a large complex of new but mostly authentic older style markets located just 10 km south of Pattaya city on Sukhumvit Road.
Khao Chi Chan
You can visit the magnificent Khao Chi Chan Buddha image etched into the side of a cliff face. It is also known as Buddha Mountain. You will find it about 24km south of Pattaya city.
The nearby Silver Lake attraction is reported as closed for re-development.
Wat Yansangwararam
Wat Yansangwararam is a modern Thai temple located 22 km south of Pattaya.
There are several other buildings of various architectural designs and gardens with lakes spread over 145 acres.
It is one of the most visited places in Thailand and a popular destination for Thai people as well as tourists.
Tiger Topia Sriracha Zoo
An hours drive from Pattaya city there is the Sriracha Tiger Zoo. There is a free shuttle service from most major hotels in Pattaya.
The zoo boasts tiger and crocodile shows. You can also see the famous Scorpion Queen.
Pattaya Elephant Santuary
In East Pattaya you will find the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary which offers ethical wildlife encounters.
Top Things to Do in Pattaya
Walking Street
This famous street opens up to only pedestrian traffic in the evening. There are restaurants, many bars and nightclubs and interesting sidewalk shows.
This is more of an adult entertainment area. Every night it is always busy with tourists. At the end of the street is Bali Hai Pier.
Floating Restaurants
At the end of Walking Street is Bali Hai Pier where in the evening you can catch a free speed boat ride to your choice of several floating restaurants out on Pattaya Bay.
Water Sports
Pattaya bay has water activities for the more adventurous tourist. You can parasail by taking a pick-up boat from the Bali Hai pier located at the end of Walking Street and out to the pontoons in the bay.
Island Tours
Pattaya has speedboats, ferries and sailing tours to take you to any of the several islands off the coast.
There are several small and larger islands in the Gulf of Thailand just out from Pattaya that are very popular with tourists.
Pattaya and Jomtien Beaches
Pattaya's golden beaches are next to the main Beach Road. On the other side are shopping malls and markets.
Jomtien Beach is another popular destination only a short ride south of Pattaya city.
Thai BBQ
There are many Thai BBQ restaurants around Pattaya and some of the best are in Jomtein which is a short and cheap songtheaw ride south of the city.
These types of restaurants are very basic but you can always find a flashy restaurant and pay a lot extra just for the decor.
Nightclubs
Pattaya is well known for its bar and nightclub scene.
Some of the popular areas are Walking Street, Soi 6 between Pattaya Beach Road and Second Road in North Pattaya, Soi Buakhao between Pattaya South Road and Pattaya Klang, Soi LK Metro in Central Pattaya.
Shopping
Some of the more popular shopping malls in Pattaya are Mike Shopping Mall in the center of the city, Central Festival Pattaya, Pattaya Floating Market located out on Sukhumvit Road, Central Center and Pattaya Night Bazaar located south on 2nd Road.
